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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 24, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 15

WHY DOST THOU WAIT?

Poor trembling lamb! ah, who outside the fold Has bid thee stand, all weary as thou art? Dangers around thee, and the bitter cold Creeping and growing to thine inmost heart; Who bids thee wait till some mysterious feeling, Thou know'st not what—perchance may never know— Shall find thee where in darkness thou art kneeling, And fill thee with a rich and wondrous glow Of love and faith; and change to warmth and light The chill and darkness of thy spirit's night? For miracles like this, who bids thee wait? Behold, “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come!” The tender Shepherd opens wide the gate, And in his love would gently lead thee home. Why should'st thou wait? Long centuries ago, Thou timid lamb, the Shepherd pined for thee. Thou art his own. Would'st thou his beauty know Nor trust the love which yet thou canst not see? Thou hast not learned this lesson to receive; More bless'd are they who see not, yet believe. Still dost thou wait for feeling? Dost thou say, “Fain would I love and trust, but hope is dead; I have no faith, and without faith, who may Rest in the blessing which is only shed Upon the faithful? I must stand and wait.” Not so. The Shepherd does not ask of thee Faith in thy faith, but only faith in Him.